Del Ennis
| Birthdate | 6/8/1925 |
| Death Date | 2/8/1996 |
| Debut Year | 1946 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, White Sox |
| Position | Left Field |
The Phillies franchise record-holder for career home runs from 1956-1980, Del Ennis had the second-most RBI in the big leagues from 1949-1957.
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Del Ennis averaged 25 HR and 109 RBI per season from 1949-1957
Del Ennis averaged 25 HR and 109 RBI per season from 1949-1957
Del Ennis’ first taste of big league baseball came as a 20-year old rookie with the Phillies in 1946. He made an immediate impact.
An All Star in his initial season, Ennis’ 17 homers, 73 RBI, .313 average, and 144 OPS+ earned him a eighth-place finish in MVP voting. The following year he upped his RBI total to 83. In 9 of his next 10 campaigns he had at least 20 homers and 95 RBI.
From the time he debuted in ’46 until the start of the ’58 season he averaged 24 homers and 102 RBI. At the height of his career from 1949-1957, only inner-circle Hall of Famer Stan Musial had more runs batted in among big league batters.
Ennis’ finest year came in 1950. That season he led the NL with a career-high 126 RBI. The performance pushed the Phils to their first pennant in 35 years.
In 1956 he established a new franchise record for career home runs and held the mark until Mike Schmidt surpassed it in 1980. The respected left fielder received votes in MVP balloting in 8 of his 14 seasons, twice finishing in the top ten, once in the top 5. Ennis left the game with the 10th most outfield appearances in National League history.
According to BaseballReference.com, Ennis still ranks third on the franchise home run list. Only Schmidt (548) and Ryan Howard (382) have hit more in the history of the franchise that has played since 1883. Ennis remains 5th on the team’s hit list, 4th in RBI, and 8th in doubles.
During his day, the Phillies great was one of the game’s most prolific run-producers. Now largely forgotten, Del Ennis had a career worth remembering.
Shown here is an Ennis’ autograph from 1950.
Government postcards give context and help with authenticity
Government postcards give context and help with authenticity
Pictured here is the back of the Del Ennis autographed postcard. Notice the Philadelphia postmark from February 1, 1950. Ennis and the Phillies were just two months away from starting a historic season.
The 1950 campaign was a great one for Ennis. He established career highs in hits (185), homers (31), RBI (a league-leading 126), on-base percentage (.372), slugging percentage (.551), and total bases (328).
His offensive output helped the “Whiz Kids” win the National League pennant for the first time since 1915. Ennis’ performance was rewarded with a fourth-place finish in MVP voting.
Though Ennis’ signature is by no means rare, examples such as this one from the early part of his career are highly sought after.
Ennis received MVP votes in eight seasons from 1946-1957
Ennis received MVP votes in eight seasons from 1946-1957
At the end of each season, baseball writers vote on year-end honors. The most prestigious of those honors is the Most Valuable Player Award. From 1946 through 1957 writers recognized Del Ennis’ greatness by naming him on their MVP ballots 8 times.
In his rookie season of 1946 the Pennsylvania native made the All Star team and placed 8th in the MVP race. That year he also led all Phillies position players in WAR.
Two years later in 1948 Ennis began a three-year stretch in which he hit .301 and averaged 29 homers and 110 RBI per year. All three years he received MVP consideration, leading the team’s position players in WAR twice and finishing second once.
Ennis drove in 107 runs in 1952 then followed it up with 125 RBI in ’53. He garnered the writers’ attention in both seasons. In his third All Star campaign in 1955 Ennis drove in 120+ runs for the third time to again earn MVP votes.
His 8th and final season gaining consideration for the Most Valuable Player Award came in 1957. Ennis slugged 20+ bombs for the 9th time. His 105 RBI marked his 7th season with triple-digit totals.
While Del Ennis will never have a plaque in Cooperstown, he was one of the most respected run-producers of his time.
Shown here is a 1947 Exhibit card signed by Ennis.
Del Ennis took over the Phillies team record career for homers in 1956
Del Ennis took over the Phillies team record career for homers in 1956
On June 19th, 19, 1956 Del Ennis slugged an 8th-inning go-ahead two-run homer against the Reds. His shot not only won the game, it also broke Chuck Klein’s Phillies career home run record.
A Hall of Fame right fielder, Klein hit 243 dingers in a Phillies uniform. He held the franchise record from 1937 until Klein took over the top spot.
In the collection is an original vintage photo signed by Klein in green ink.
Ennis held the Phillies single-season mark for homers from 1956-1980
Ennis held the Phillies single-season mark for homers from 1956-1980
Del Ennis’ 11 seasons with the Phillies featured a franchise record 259 home runs. After setting the mark in 1956, Ennis held it until 1980.
That season Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt passed Ennis in a June 25th contest. The game was a good one for Schmitty.
His record-breaking dinger gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the first inning. By the time he came up again in the 3rd, Schmidt’s Phillies were behind 4-3. He responded by slamming a solo shot to tie the game.
The score remained knotted until the bottom of the 12th when Schmidt came up with the bases loaded. Patiently, he drew a walk to drive in one of his career-high 121 runs that season.
Shown here is a Topps baseball card depicting Schmidt and the AL RBI leader of ’80, Cecil Cooper. Both men have signed it.
Has better stats than numerous Hall of Famers. Totally forgotten. Philly should have statue if him outside Ballpark cause he is one of greatest Phillies. I am not from Philly but am huge Baseball history fan
Ashburn is in the Hall of Fame primarily because Ennis drove him in. Ashburn was only a fair outfielder., and Ennis had a stronger arm, hit with power, and has stats that are better than current Hall of Famers.
Ashburn was an excellent CF’er for the Whiz Kids Philly era. He was a sparkplug for the Phil’s as leadoff hitter.. Ennis was the piston in the lineup for their team.
Ennis was the fair outfielder and his team mate in the Philly outfield was a superb Whitey. He could motor to the location always waiting for the ball to arrive. He was #3 in a Willie, Whitey and the Duke in the NL All-star outfield in the 50s. He belongs in the HOF for any of us who saw him work at Connie Mack stadium or Shibe Park.